6 BrushStrokes: MINNESOTA WATERCOLOR SOCIETY NEWSLETTER Volume 27, Number 2, February 2007

4011 Chicago Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55407-3142

“To further development

of the watercolor artist

by providing a

supportive environment

with education and exhibition

opportunities, and to promote

public appreciation and greater

visibility of the art.”

— MnWS Mission Statement

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MEMBERSHIPAPPLICATIONMNWScalendar

Volume 27 Number 2 February 2007

Programs are held the second Thursday ofthe month at 7:00 p.m.

February 8 Mark Granlund Presentation

March 8Nancy Carney Presentation

March 24 & 25Dan Wiemer Workshop

April 30Ron Ransom Workshop

LOCATION: Christ Presbyterian Church,6901 Normandale Blvd., Edina, MN (Corner of 70th St. S. and Hwy 100)www.minnesotawatercolors.com

This Flowering Life — our February speaker, Mark Granlund

Flowers seem to be a never ending source of activity for me. Upuntil the time I moved to Minnesota from New York City in 1990, Ihad never drawn, painted or planted a flower, as far as I can recall.Yet, here I am sixteen years later, painting botanicals and managingthe public gardens for the City of Saint Paul.

I did study art while in New York, at the City University of New York- Brooklyn College. I received my Masters Degree in painting anddrawing. After living in New York City for graduate school, Iworked in the foothills of the Green Mountains of Vermont at theVermont Studio School. It was here that I realized what I had beenmissing while in New York City - nature! I began paintinglandscapes with thinned down tar (that’s another story).

A few years after moving to Minnesota I approached the Como ParkConservatory about their need to have an artist teaching classes anddocumenting the park. They asked me to start art classes, whicheventually lead to my developing the education department for thezoo and conservatory. Being surrounded by flowers and wonderfullush tropical plants every day has a way of rubbing off on you. Ibegan to paint botanicals.

Eventually, with the help of Vera Ming Wong and Marilyn Garber,the Botanical Art and Illustration Certification program began atComo. I no longer run the program at Como but continue to teacheach quarter and help out where needed. The Saint Paul Division of

Parks and Recreationasked me to start up a city-wide public garden pro-gram with emphasis on thedowntown area. So now,when I am not paintingflowers, I am responsiblefor the growing, design-ing, planting and mainte-nance of 500 hanging bas-kets, 150 planters and over 300 ground beds. Who knew?

What have I learned about flowers? I enjoy flowers because theyhave a structure and a design that is a direct response to their envi-ronment and genetic history. But when people interact with a flowerthe genetic design is ultimately overwhelmed by the sensual experi-ence and beauty is perceived.

The presentation for the Minnesota Watercolor Society’s Februarymeeting will focus on underpainting. Underpaintings are more asso-ciated with oil painting, but where a good drawing and accurate tonesare needed, an underpainting works great with watercolor. I willcover ideas for acheiving accurate, strong edges and how to create asense of space in and around your subject. I, of course, will be paint-ing flowers, but these concepts apply across subject matter.

If you would like to see some of my botanicals and landscapes andlearn more about me, please visit my website atwww.mgranlund.com. Or take a class from me at Como. Or join mefor a week long workshop at Mallard Island this summer. Or visit thestreets of Saint Paul this summer and see a diiferent kind of flowerart which incorporates a sense of color, shape and texture on a big-ger scale.

Red Lily by Mark Granlund

Spring TonicMnWS Spring Exhibition

You can turn your form/slides in toDeb Chapin at the next WNWS

meeting. Please VOLUNTEER for the show!

Slides must be turned in byFebruary 14!

Pinecone by Mark Granlund

MESSAGE from the PresidentTake a break—work in a little rest. I am writing this after recovering from the hectic holiday season, where itseems everything is done to excess. A good lesson in life is also a goodlesson in your painting. Create some visual rest in your work and watch itimprove.

Over the holidays I went to the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. I love that place! I arrive hun-gry and leave full. I usually try to see too much in too short of time. Absorbing so much artalways leaves me excited and a little overwhelmed. It reminds me of the time I ate an entirepackage of Oreos and drank a half gallon of milk in one sitting (oh, to be thirteen again.) Aspainters, we are visual entertainers. We are trying to create pieces for the eye to feast on. Theviewer takes a tour through our art as they view it. It is our job as the artist to make their sight-seeing tour a good one.

Sometimes when I become absorbed in the painting process, I get carried away. It's much eas-ier to complicate than to simplify. (Raise your hand if this has ever happened to you.) I runinto trouble when I detail and micro-manage every portion of the scene, instead of thinking ofthe whole. The result is an overworked painting that has little drama. In other words I'm try-ing to feed the viewer an entire package of Oreos and a whole bunch of milk.

Take a look at Edward Seago's work. You can find it in one of the many great books writtenby Ron Ranson. Seago's watercolors are wonderfully simple. He surrounds areas of activitywith areas of wash or tone with virtually no detail. Because of this, they have wonderfuldrama and presence. His paintings work up close and they work from across the room. He isa master of guiding your eye through his composition with active areas vs. quiet areas. RonRanson writes, “He also achieved one of the most difficult things in watercolor,- he knewwhen to stop! That climactic moment when one has imparted just enough information andbefore the painting has become opaque & muddied. This moment is a veritable knife-edge.”- Edward Seago (1910-1974). He was an amazing artist. Needless to say, as a viewer lookingat his work, I was very entertained.

Okay, I've rested long enough. I have to get some exercise. I can't believe how long it takesto work off all the Christmas cookies I ate.

Happy Painting…

2 BrushStrokes: MINNESOTA WATERCOLOR SOCIETY NEWSLETTER Volume 27, Number 2, February 2007

BOARD OF DIRECTORSPresident Dan Wiemer 651-388-8047

Vice President Emmy White 612-825-8312Secretary Paul Higdon 952-943-8020Treasurer Dianne Jandt 952-891-2375

Exhibition, Fall CeCeile Hartleib 651-647-6078Terry Kayser

Exhibition, Spring Deb Chapin 952-890-8684Hospitality Ruth Hoglund 612-866-9741

Librarian Ruth Valgemae 952-920-3975Membership Marian Alstad 612-824-6460

Member-at-large Emmy White 612-825-8312Newsletter Chris May 952-938-5731

Program Sandra Muzzy 952-854-7677Kathleen Sovell 612-374-3195

Publicity John O’Leary 952-888-0638Registration Susan Zinschlag 651-437-9327

Workshop Karen Knutson 952-934-0876Susan Zinschlag 651-437-932Dianne Jandt 952-891-2375

Northstar Liason Jeanne Long 612-920-3469

PAST PRESIDENTS2004-2006 Andrew Evansen 2002-2004 Sandra Muzzy 2000-2002 Keith Donaldson 1998-2000 David Rickert1996-1998 Jan Fabian Wallake1994-1996 MarySue Krueger1992-1994 Carol Gray1990-1992 Gwen Leopaldt1988-1990 Harry Heim1986-1988 Sally Burns1983-1986 Jeanne Emrich

BRUSHSTROKES

Editor Chris May 952-938-5731Advertising Mgr. Mary Hanson 952-476-6896Mailings Beverly Peterson 763-533-7757

HOW TO REACH US:INFORMATION•VOICE MAIL LINE

952-996-9228WEB SITE: www.minnesotawatercolors.com

BrushStrokes NewsletterBrushStrokes is published monthly, September through June.Deadlines are the 15th of the month. Send letters to the editorand art related stories that help inform or educate members to:

MnWS BrushStrokes Editor16800 Blenheim Way

Minnetonka, MN 55345cjmay@eganco.com

Advertising PlacementFor ad rates or to place advertising, contact

Volume 27, Number 2, February 2007 5BrushStrokes: MINNESOTA WATERCOLOR SOCIETY NEWSLETTER

Coming in the Spring!April 30 - May 4

Ron Ranson Workshop!

Sign up now to be sure to get in. Cost is $395 formembers or $435 for non-members. Ron Ranson is a national-ly known artist and his extensive experience of painting andteaching has formed the basis of a number of very successfulbooks, including: Big Brush Watercolor, Watercolor Fast andLoose, and Watercolor Impressionist. More detailed registrationwill follow in the next newsletter. This workshop is bound to fillup fast! Call or email Karen Knutson now to get on the list.Phone (952-934-0876) or email: karen@karenknutson.com

SPRING TONICThe MnWS Spring Exhibition

Minnetonka Art CenterApril 5, 2007

The 2007 Spring Juried Exhibition will be held in the lovely gallery at theMinnetonka Center for the Arts and we are very pleased to welcome SallyJohnson as our judge for this show. Sally Johnson has been the Director ofthe very popular Groveland Gallery since 1984. Now we need the membersto step forward with their work and this will be a great show!

Slides must be handed in by February 14, 2007 Questions, contact Deb Chapin at 952-890-8684

MnWS WorkshopsDan Wiemer Workshop, “Strong and

Simple.” March 24-25 at the Hopkins Centerfor the Arts. Cost is $95. Dan promises tocover these topics:

1. Good paintings start with good abstract design. Strong value shapes are key in the painting process.

2. Simplify and be direct. (Less is so much more.)

3. Descriptive shapes with exciting edges can replace too much detail.

Dan also believes that students should allowthemselves to have fun. I'm sure all of youknow by the way that Dan conducts our meet-ings, that he's easy-going, fun, and has a greatpersonality. This is bound to be a winner of aworkshop! For more information contactSusan Zinschlag 651-437-9327 e-mail:s.m.zinschlag@att.net

Marian Alstad—”Paint Your Pet Workshop”at the Edina Art Center, Saturday,March 17 from 9:30-2:30 p.m. $50 non members/$45 members. Paint a favorite lov-able pet in watercolor. Bring your paints, a good outdoor or non-flash photo, and turnit into a watercolor painting-fluffy, sleek or scaly, find the right technique. Call 612-915-6600 or register on line at www.EdinaArtCenter.com

Karlyn Holman—Prague and the Czech Republic, August 30 to September 13.Paint in this beautifully preserved city. $3450.00 without airfare. Call 715-373-2922or www.karlynholman,com. Bulgaria, September 13-27. Paint and tour this amaz-ing country with Karlyn and Stella Canfield. $2850.00 without airfare. Call 715-373-2922 or www.karlynholman.com

Calvin deRuyter—In conjunction with the exhibit at the New York Mills RegionalCultural Center in New York Mills, MN Calvin will also be givinga full day workshop (6 hours) on Feb. 23—preregistration isrequired by Feb. 12 and more information can be received by call-ing 218-385-3339 or emailing nymills@kulcher.org.

Mini Shows Held Every Month by Emmy White

Some members find that a theme helps them center on a painting for that month.Others would prefer to choose a painting to share that has nothing to do with thetheme. All choices are welcome and appreciated. A special gift drawing from all thenames of the participants will be held. Also one voluntary artist will be chosen for acritique. Here’s the list of themes for the rest of this year.

February – Warm (warm colors, warm places, warm feelings)March – Food – (fruits, pies, cakes, chefs, restaurants, coffee houses, etcApril – Spring show, no meetingMay – Landscape, abstract or realistic

the WORKshopperSend Workshop listings to: Workshopper, 16800 Blenheim Way, Minnetonka, MN 55345, or email to cjmay@eganco.com

4 BrushStrokes: MINNESOTA WATERCOLOR SOCIETY NEWSLETTER Volume 27, Number 2, February 2007

Art on a Line The fifth annual Art on a Line show and sale will take place May 18-20, 2007 atthe Minnesota State Fair Fine Arts Building. The registration form can be foundat the Northstar Website (www.northstarwatercolorsociety.com) and must besubmitted no later than February 15, 2007. Participation packets will be avail-able for pick-up at the March NWS meeting.

Art will be dropped off on Thursday, May 17, by 7 p.m. and picked up at the endof the sale on Sunday night, May 20. The maximum number of paintings perparticipant will be limited to 50. NWS will again take a 20% commission.Contact Leny Wendel, 651-653-0032, (leny_wendel@msn.com) or ConnieKeithan, (651-774-2677, conkaystpaul@yahoo.com) with any questions.

Please note that the registration form is for sign-up and payment only. You donot submit the list of your paintings until after you pick up your packets at theMarch meeting.

Jan Fabian Wallake, author of "Watercolor:Pour It On", will instruct painting workshopsat the following locations:

May 21-24 at the Moose Lodge Spring ArtRetreat, northern MN (a private, all-inclusivepainting retreat for five artists). ContactWallake Studios at 651-351-1301.

June 11-14—Madeline Island Art School,Wisconsin. Contact 715-747-2054.

Aug. 26-31—Dillman's Art Resort, Wisconsin.Contact 715-588-3143.

Oct. 8-11—Moose Lodge Fall Art Retreat,northern MN. Contact Wallake Studios at 651-351-1301.

Oct. 22-26—Saanich Penninsula Art Soc.,British Columbia. Contact Ruth at 1-250-655-4836 or Wallake Studios at 651-351-1301

Jan also teaches a once-a-month class inRoseville. Contact Wallake Studios at 651-351-1301.

Karen Knutson Workshop “Still LifePaintings in a fun way! (Watercolor and col-lage workshop.)

March 15-17, 2007 (Thursday - Saturday) inHastings, MN. Contact Barb Pinc (651-438-3488) studio61art@hotmail.com

To see Karen's painting style, check out herwebsite, www.karenknutson.com

“Art on a Line” shoppers at the State Fair Art Building

Dick Green had one of his paintings on thecover of the December 06 issue of Cross CountrySkier magazine. Four more of his paintings wereincluded on the inside story.

Two watercolors by Terry Genesen Beckerwere selected by jurors Will Auger and Eric Ouren

for the "Arts in Harmony '07" national juried exhi-bition in Elk River, MN. 170 pieces were selectedfrom 579 submitted by 223 artists. The exhibitionwill open on February 5 and runs until March 30.

Calvin deRuyter will be displayingapproximately 30 works at a one-person show at the New York Mills RegionalCultural Center in New York Mills, MN from Feb. 13-Mar. 24. Opening Receptionis Feb. 24, from 1-4 pm.

Send member news to: BrushStrokes, 16800 Blenheim Way, Minnetonka, MN 55345, or emailto cjmay@eganco.com. Images are welcome and will be used as space permits.

MEMBER happeningsFebruary: Calvin deRuyter (part 2) &Dick Green demo - may be ONLY DickMarch: Heidi NelsonApril 16-20: Robert Burridge WorkshopContact Georgiana Ruzich 763-424-5164

Northstar News

Volume 27, Number 2, February 2007 3BrushStrokes: MINNESOTA WATERCOLOR SOCIETY NEWSLETTER

For meeting info contact Diane Kuenzli, 651-771-6303.

Meeting location is Centennial UnitedMethodist Church, 1524 W. County Rd.

C2 at Snelling in Roseville.www.northstarwatercolorsociety.com

This is a photo of theFred Dingler workshopparticipants. Fred is 4thfrom the left in the backrow. It was a greatworkshop, and fun washad by all! Fred was agreat instuctor, who real-ly cared about each stu-dent and encouragedthem to paint in theirown style, but to remem-ber values. He evendemonstrated how to do

a portrait on the second day, by special request. We learned so much about addingvalue, and having a full range of values in our paintings. Fred is an advocate of usingfresh paint, and had us convinced by the end of the workshop, how vibrant our paintingswould be if we would use fresh paint. The next mini workshop will be on March 24and 25 at the same location, with Dan Weimer as our instructor. The class size is limit-ed, so be sure to sign up early.

Your workshop director, Karen Knutson

We have 371 paid members to date.NEW MEMBERS

Cathy KehnwaldB. Lynne Gasterland

Jo SchwalboskiChristine PolisDavid Rickert

WWeellccoommee!!